On the other hand, Optical cables are made of fibre optic strands. In addition, HDMI ARC support all audio formats and the Optical Cable have some limitations, even though they can transfer audio signals without any loss. Probably the least common connection when it comes to modern AV kit, coaxial digital uses electricity to transmit audio. On the other hand, the fiber optics cable is not capable of delivers these higher sound formats. The new 75” Samsung only came with 2 HDMI. If you have a sound bar or receiver of fairly recent vintage that has HDMI, it probably has ARC… And these strands are made of glass. Sony TV's will often pass 5.1 sound through, to both the optial and HDMI ARC. Instead of using an electrical current, these cables transmit the signal through light. Well, HDMI has always been the preferred option for most of us. There are some special categories of users who want custom-design media rooms for which they need an extensive length of cable. While selecting the cable among HDMI and Optical; chose that which is shorter than the other. And  they do not support Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, Blue Ray and DTS HD. But we would recommend HDMI for covering 5 meters or less for best quality sound. The reason is that the standard HDMI is not compatible with the two-way audio transmission. Created by ProDigitalWeb. Audio . These don’t support TrueHD, DTS HD, or Dolby Digital Plus also. The main benefit of the HDMI-eARC is that it has got a massive improvement in bandwidth and speed. But the disadvantage is that this cable is susceptible to electromagnetic interference. Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, Blue Ray and DTS HD. But the factor that creates a difference between these two is the passing ability of higher-resolution audio. If you don't listen to your material at or near 0db or use external amps then it's not an issue for you. HDMI and HDMI ARC are, for the most part, the same. I know this is wrong because when I’ve tried to disconnect the HDMI and just use optical, i lose volume control from the TV remote. For example, in case the signal from the receiver delivers to your television, it cannot run back again. Their latest versions of HDMI, 2.0 and up, can support audio bandwidth of up to 192 kHz and 32 channels. Here we will discuss each possible feature and compare both of the cables in that light only. Therefore, the HDMI ARC is better suits your audio appliances. However, the struggle does not end here. WAV to MP3- How to Convert Your Audio Files, Jump Starter: Best Portable Jump Starters in 2021, Best Flashlights of 2020: A Complete Buying Guide. No matter which cable you choose, the signal quality will hamper when the data travels for a longer length. You don’t need to use two separate cables for audio and video while you are using the HDMI one. It's literally between the DAC's of the sound card vs your Sound bars DACs. Some HDMI audio extractor converter integrates HDMI ARC function, the reason is that we may need to use external devices such as PS 4, Xbox Apple TV, etc and want to extract audio to the soundbar, amplifier for better performance. You will receive quality sound just like the way you get by HDMI cable. That’s why if you want to use the full stereo system correctly, you must need an HDMI ARC connection. You may find that almost all the TV channels are broadcast in surround sound only. HDMI Cable 1.5M - 4K UHD HDMI 2.0(4K@60Hz) Ready -18Gbps-28AWG Braided Cord -Gold Plated Connectors -Ethernet,Audio Return -Video 4K 2160p,HD 1080p,3D -Xbox PlayStation PS3 PS4 PC Apple TV - IBRA RED, High Speed HDMI Cable v2.0/1.4a 18Gbps 3D TV 2160p PS4 SKY HD 4K@60Hz Ultra HD Ethernet Audio Return Virgin BT Gold Connectors Nylon Braided - 2M - IBRA PLATINUM, IBRA Orange HDMI Cable 1M - UHD HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz) Ready -18Gbps-28AWG Braided Cord -Gold Plated Connectors -Ethernet,Audio Return-Video 4K 2160p,HD 1080p,3D -Xbox PlayStation PS3 PS4 PC Apple TV, Optical Toslink Digital Audio Cable - Suitable for PS3,Sky,Sky HD,LCD,LED,Plasma, Blu Ray to Connect with Home Cinema Systems,AV Amps - 3M - IBRA PREMIUM BLACK, IBRA Muzil Gold 1.5M - Digital Optical Cable | Toslink / Audio Cable | Fibre Optic Cable | Suitable for PS3, Sky, Sky HD, LCD, LED, Plasma, Blu-ray, AV Amps. For a decent audio result, an optical cable is a good option. So, selecting the right cable is an important decision to take. YAS-207: Optical vs HDMI ARC Looking at purchasing Yamaha's YAS-207, but my TV doesn't have HDMI ARC, and I know it will offer superior sound quality over the digital optical input. My question is … All about Technological Advancement of Yesteryear, Today, and Tomorrow. Make sure to check the labels on both your TV and your audio device. The Basics of HDMI vs. Optical. You need to update the Arc in this case. If you have a trio of 3.5mm cables bundled together, you can mimic 5.1 surround sound using something ca… HDMI can pass these types of audio including the formats that can be found on Blu-ray: Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio. Most of the time, those soundbars don’t come with HDMI input as well. In addition, HDMI ARC support all audio formats and the Optical  Cable have some limitations, even though they can transfer audio signals without any loss. Construction: For the HDMI cable, copper is the main component. When comparing HDMI vs. optical audio cables for sound quality, HDMI is better than optical. Where as the HDMI ARC support all sound formats. How to Choose the Right TV Wall Mount Bracket. Digital Ruler and Ruler App- Measure Anything &... Cordless Screwdriver- Best Electric Power Screwdriver, Best Solar Path Lights- Latest Reviews & Guide, Digital Ruler and Ruler App- Measure Anything & Everything. What is the Difference Between 2.0 and 2.1 HDMI Cables? For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. In that situation, the best practice is to connect the source to the bar through the optical cable but you need to skip the TV though. Besides, material construction is one of the factors that also differentiate these two. With time, the wiring technology has taken a leap and now there are so many high-end systems associated with a sound like Blu-ray player, gaming console, or home theatre system. In some other cases, you have already in the place that is connected to the TV and you want only the audio from the soundbar, then the optical cable is the perfect choice for the situation. But in that case, you can’t use 60 frames per second. And for that reason, for watching any video from a Blu-ray device, you should select the HDMI Cable. If you consider the functionality, then we can say that both the HDMI and optical cable have the serve same purpose which is transforming the audio file from one device to another. This is why between HDMI and optical, the simplest advice is to go HDMI as much as possible. This cable can support all kind of sound formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio. HDMI ARC Vs eARC: what is the new ... ARC does away with the need for optical audio cables ... That means the surround sound we listen to is being substantially upgraded. Moreover, it allows you to watch an 8K video at 60 frames per second. HDMI ARC, transmit both audio and video signals , With Optical cable Video signals can not be send. Therefore, the HDMI ARC is better suits your audio appliances. It can support Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, and DTS HD. While checking at the market or the online shops; you can see the options of HDMI and Optical cables for digital audio support. Optical, on the other hand, is usually restricted to 96 kHz. Your TV should send 5.1 to ARC and optical if using its apps and antenna tuner. This story, "Blu-ray Audio Quality: HDMI vs. Optical" was originally published by PCWorld Note: When you purchase something after clicking links … This material is quite expensive and it does not transmit electricity but light signal. HDMI or Optical Which is Better for Sound Quality? As we mentioned, you’ll most likely find an optical port on anything that needs video and audio to co-exist, like a gaming console, DVD player, or soundbar. For most setups, the sound will be just as good with optical as with HDMI. It has replaced all the other connectivity options, especially for the set boxes, Blu-ray players, and gaming consoles. It is recommended that the optical cable must be around 10 meters for the best sound effect though many people use it for 30 meters as well. Hence, you don’t need to use other remotes to control various devices. Using the enhanced audio return channel, you can send high-quality audio from the TV to a soundbar. Since you will probably put the soundbar or the home theatre hub below your TV, you can avoid quality loss over HDMI by using a shorter cable. What Is the Difference Between a Connector, Jack, Plug and Port? These cables are compatible with all the latest audio formats. ARC will always suck as long as it is with HDMI control. Coaxial cables are just like optical cables, except the latter transmits digital multi-channel audio as pulses of light versus the former, which delivers an audio signal instead. To get rid of the problem you need HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) cable. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. And these have a limited capacity. Where as, Optical Cables sends audio signals in the form of light waves through the fiber optic cables, so the loss of signals is very limited. In practical terms, if you have a surround sound system, such as a 7.1 soundbar, the HDMI eARC will be your best choice. Are you willing to use a 7.1-channel surround sound system? Here is an elaborate discussion on the same to go away with all the perplexities. In the case of a 2.1 line, you can view 120 frames per second in 4K. Hence, “e” stands for “enhanced”. In the end, the individual requirement will also play a huge role. The device may have an old receiver or don’t have the option of HDMI at all. These are vital for most VR systems. And both of them used for different purposes. You can use the cord on uncompressed PCM stereo audio, and 5.1/7.1 Dolby Digital and DTS multi-channel audio. You can control the Arc by using a single remote only. In this case, the optical cables are not the perfect one for you. Want to connect your shiny new soundbar or AV receiver? Which is better optical audio or hdmi arc? For example, you have bought a soundbar that supports surround sound signals. Optical s/pdif can support up to 5.1, non "HD" audio; the standard AC3/Dolby Digital or DTS formats are the limit. They look similar and can work, but an analogue interconnect has different imped… It is because not all HDMI cables come with the same quality. While selecting the sound cable, you can find that most people recommend the HDMI cable that has replaced the coax cables. The enhanced audio return channel can easily support the 7.1-channel surround sound. This material is quite cheap and the scope of interference is quite high with it. HDMI ARC cables use very low voltage to transmit the audio signal. It is always better for you to go with HDMI. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Most soundbars have a port labelled HDMI ARC, similar to the one on your TV. For HDMI, there is no such recommendation but for the best sound quality keep it not more than 5 meters. But optical is unable to transmit such formats. Although consistent and high quality, it … Therefore, if you  increase the cable length the signal quality will be poor due to the specific resistance of the copper wire used. The digital optical audio cable is one-dimensional and only puts out the sound. For the cables of high definition multimedia interference, copper is used. Although optical audio cables are immune to electrical noise, they are quite fragile compared to HDMI cables. When it comes to video quality, the HDMI cable is the name that comes first in our mind. Check Out The Difference between cat7 and cat8 Ethernet cable That Internet Will Not Tell You, Address: 67 Seymour Gardens Ilford, Essex - IG1 3LL. So, if you want to cover a longer distance, you must go for the optical choice. On the other hand, for the optical fiber, the main component is fiber optics which is a bundle of thin and tiny glass strands. For those who want to use only a single wire between two devices, then High Definition multimedia interference cable is the one that you should select. However, I can still control the volume using the sound bar remote. Optical cables do not have interference during transmission. You cannot find any difference while passing the multichannel audio like Dolby Digital. The quality & format you actually get depends on the TV and what is it is receiving. Where as the HDMI ARC support all sound formats. In case, the gadget you are using does not have the HDMI option, then maybe you will not able to get the benefits of the high-end video resolution of Blu-ray devices. If you have the requirement for both the audio and video, then it is advisable to go with an HDMI cable. If you have a sound bar that can do fancy bits (surround , DTS etc) , you may get better sound by connecting to the soundbar first, but as most soundbars are only stereo it doesn't really matter. For HDMI, there are no such recommendations. ARC, known as Audio Return Channel, takes the help of HDMI cable to transfer audio from a TV back to a receiver. These materials are not expensive. The manufacturing cost of this cable is more expensive compared to the previous one. By using these cables, you can get the ultimate benefits from Blu-Ray discs or a modern game console. If you have a quality sound card like an Asus Xonar or Creative Sound Blaster, the 3.5" jack would likely produce better quality sound. For instance if your laptop is connected to the TV you will not get 5.1 material via ARC or optical. HDMI-ARC is an Audio Return Channel. The difference occurs on the receiver side. Powered by WordPress. High definition multimedia interference cables can’t support the 7.1-channel surround sound. HDMI ARC vs Optical Sound quality Since both these cables can transfer multichannel audio, they both offer good sound quality, an optical cable works well with almost all home entertainment devices but they only support sound up to 5.1 channels, but sometimes you want a cable that supports sound up to 7.1 channels which even an HDMI AVC can not support, but another variation of HDMI naming HDMI … The main issue is these cables are virtually immune to interference. I have connected the HDMI and the optical to the sound bar. Now it comes to the device with which you want to connect. On the other way, you can also use the fiber optic cable or popularly known as optical cable. 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